Fed: Islamic insurgents deny kidnap claim

AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2008
Fed: Islamic insurgents deny kidnap claim

Islamist insurgents in Somalia have denied claims they're behind the kidnapping of
Australian and Canadian journalists.

Australian Federal Police and extra diplomatic staff have been sent to Somalia to probe
the kidnapping of NIGEL BRENNAN.

It's understood the Brisbane-based 35-year-old and 26-year-old Canadian freelance journalist
AMANDA LANDHOUT were kidnapped at gunpoint by a militia group .. about 25km from the Somali
capital on Saturday.

But a spokesman for Somalia's Islamist insurgents says it appears to be the work of
a fringe group.

He says there is a rebel group which kidnaps for ransom .. separate from rivals who
have political objectives.

AAP RTV pjo/sw/crh

KEYWORD: SOMALIA BRENNAN (BRISBANE)

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